Battling land-pooling protests, Mann says will meet farmers
announced that meetings on the land pooling policy would be held with people, including farmers. Replying to a media query about resistance to the policy, Mann said that it was not dictatorial.
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The chief minister described the land pooling policy as a progressive step taken for the promotion of planned and sustainable development. He assured that feedback from all stakeholders, including farmers, would be considered. Underlining the involvement of all stakeholders, CM Mann said that all decisions would be taken in consultation with people.
"The policy has already been explained in details. In the days to come, meetings will be held with people, including farmers, about the land pooling policy.
There is no dictatorship," he said.
A week ago, Anandpur Sahib MP Malwinder Singh Kang, former chief spokesman of AAP's Punjab unit, posted on 'X', urging his party leaders to "earn the trust" of farmers regarding this policy. He suggested that the govt do this by communicating with farmers and farm organisations on this matter. However, hours after expressing his reservations about the land pooling policy on his social media handle, Kang deleted the post following backlash.
His tweet was shared by opposition leaders too.
Responding to another media query, the chief minister alleged that Congress leaders had previously patronised gangsters, which emboldened criminal elements. He noted that those very Congress leaders were now facing threats to their families from the same criminals they once supported. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders were now facing the consequences of their past misdeeds against the state and its people.
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At the gurdwara on Saturday, the chief minister said he felt blessed to serve people of Punjab and usher in a new era of unprecedented development. He said that his govt was following in the footsteps of the Sikh Gurus to serve people and was committed to accelerate development of the state.
BOX: Patients left in lurch
Patients suffered due to the absence of doctors at the district hospital, Ropar as two medical teams, each comprising three doctors and four paramedical staff, were deputed since 7am ahead of the CM's visit on Saturday. However, the teams were later informed that the CM was scheduled to visit at 11am. The CM, however, reached around 1pm to pay obeisance at Katalgarh Sahib gurdwara.
The hospital is currently facing a shortage of around 30 doctors. Approximately 50 doctors, including six under NRHM and 13 trainee doctors hired for a year, are in place, a doctor said on condition of anonymity.
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